This GIF image captures the moment Lin Jiatai risked his life going against big waves to save the drowning girl. [GIF/CCTV News]
Lin Jiatai, a young man from Jieyang, Guangdong province, was recognized and awarded for his bravery after risking his life going against big waves to rescue a drowning girl in the coastal Hainan province.
A video clip published by CCTV News showed that on Jan 30, at the beach near a scenic spot in Hainan, a little girl was swept away by strong waves, with her mother also being pulled into the water while trying to save her.
A young man in white (later identified as Lin) can be seen in the video quickly rescuing the mother and repeatedly trying to reach the girl despite being pushed back by the strong tides.
Lin didn't give up and persisted until a less powerful wave gave him the chance to grab hold of the girl. He, along with other helpers, successfully pulled the girl back to safety.
Lin Jiatai (third from right) was recognized and awarded by the local government of Wanning, Hainan province. [Photo/Official WeChat account of Xinhua News Agency]
The rescue lasted about three minutes, during which Lin's heroism was evident as he battled the strong currents.
"I started learning how to swim at a young age since my hometown has many rivers. So I'm fairly good at swimming," Lin said.
Lin used to serve in the military and is now a photographer. The incident occurred while he was on a photo-shooting tour in Hainan.
After the video went viral, with many praising his bravery, Lin modestly responded, "I just did what I should do to save the girl. It is a natural instinct to help others".
